Teen pilot Amy soars above Skegness Grammar School A-level stress

Seventeen-year-old Amy Atkinson has achieved her Private Pilot's Licence just weeks after reaching the minimum legal age required to qualify.

The sixth-form student, who is studying maths, further maths and physics, can now legally fly an aircraft on her own or take passengers into the air.

Amy, who lives near Burgh le Marsh, has been learning to fly through POM Flight Training at Humberside Airport and says being in the cockpit is the perfect antidote to exam stress.

She said: "If I'm stressed about exams coming up at school or just having a bad day, as soon as I get in an aircraft, none of it matters anymore.

"My head goes silent and the only thing that matters is me, the aircraft and the open sky. It just feels natural."

Amy's aviation journey began several years ago after a family discussion about future career options.

She said: "I didn't really know what I wanted to do as a job. During a long car journey my parents started listing different careers, but none of them felt right.

"Then I thought about becoming a pilot and it just felt right. I did a trial lesson in a Cessna 150 and that confirmed it for me."

A year ago Amy completed her first solo flight at the age of 16 – the youngest age at which pilots are allowed to fly alone.

Since then she has balanced her flight training with her studies, flying regularly during term time and increasing her training during school holidays.

"The feeling of knowing I had passed my practical exam and all my theory exams is unreal," she said.

"It has confirmed that all the hard work and late nights have been worth it."

Amy's interest in aviation extends beyond the cockpit. As part of her studies she completed an Extended Project Qualification examining how major air incidents have helped make modern flying safer.

Her long-term ambition is to become a commercial airline pilot for British Airways working up to Captain – and, after completing her A-levels, she hopes to continue her training in Spain.

Her family have also been able to share her achievement. “None of my friends or family have a Licence but I have taken my parents, brother and nan up with my instructor when I was training in Blackpool. I took them up in October 2024 for a pleasure flight,” she recalled.

"I took my nan and my brother up first with my instructor sat next to me. Then I took my parents up with my instructor for a pleasure flight over our house and around where we lived and so they could experience what flying is like in the small aircraft I trained in.”

Proud father Ben Atkinson said the family were delighted by Amy's achievement.

"The youngest you can legally gain your pilot's licence is 17, so this is quite some achievement and we are all very proud of her," he said.

"At 17 she is now legally qualified to fly a plane unaccompanied or with her friends. Her long-term goal is to fly commercial airliners and, all being well, she will be heading to Spain for further training after her A-levels."

And she also has a special message for her family: “The support they've given me to begin the training for my dream is something I couldn't have done this without. My dad has helped me so much with studying for my theory exams and helping me to understand some of the mechanical theory.

"My mum has helped me with getting to and from Humberside and helping me plan and organise my dates for when I'm available to fly.”

Amy will no doubt be taking to the skies as she awaits her A-Level results and embarks on the next stage of her training. She said: "My favourite thing about flying is the freedom it gives you. Even on rough flying days it's an amazing feeling that makes me smile every time."